NFL Monday updates

Falcons: Defensive tackle Grady Jackson and several other players could learn on today the results of their appeals to the NFL of suspensions for a positive doping test. Angelo Wright, Jackson’s agent, told The Associated Press on Monday that “We think it will be tomorrow.” Wright said he is confident Jackson will continue playing, no matter the result of “I’m not worried about it either way,” Wright said, adding he plans to “file something” if the appeal is denied. Jackson, Minnesota Vikings DTs Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister and defensive linemen Will Smith and Charles Grant, and Houston long snapper Bryan Pittman reportedly tested positive for the diuretic Bumetanide. The drug helps rid the body of excess water and salt but is considered a masking agent for steroids by the NFL. All of those players appealed. Pat Williams also is represented by Wright. The players claim the banned substance was not listed as an ingredient in StarCaps, an over-the-counter weight-loss pill. Jackson filed suit against StarCaps in Alameda County Superior Court in California last month, seeking restitution for any lost salary and damages for “false advertising and unfair business practices.”

Cowboys: Linebacker DeMarcus Ware and running back Marion Barber were not at practice Monday, the first time the Cowboys were back on the field since both were hurt Thanksgiving Day. Coach Wade Phillips said both were “day to day.” Ware, the NFL sacks leader, has a hyperextended left knee and Barber has a dislocated right pinkie toe. We’ll see how they are,” Phillips said before the early portion of practice open to reporters. MRI tests Friday revealed no significant damage for Ware and Barber. Both got hurt in the Cowboys’ 34-9 victory over Seattle. Phillips expects Ware to practice this week, but was less certain about Barber. “It depends on what the doctors say,” Phillips said. “We want to make sure he can obviously do the things he needs to do. How long that takes and what we have to do as far as practice is concerned, I don’t know. Earlier, [doctors] said he would have to stay out during the week, but I don’t know if that is the case or not.” Even if Barber is not able to go through contact drills, Phillips said the running back would take part in daily walkthroughs as the team prepares for Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh. Barber got hurt when someone stepped on his foot in the first half Thursday. After X-rays revealed no broken bone, Barber returned after halftime, had only one more carry, leaving the game for good after a 4-yard run midway through the third quarter. A few plays later, Ware got hurt when his leg turned awkwardly on consecutive steps while rushing the quarterback. He dropped to the ground before walking off under his own power. Cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones will be eligible to play Sunday after his six-game suspension. Jones has already returned to practice, but the Cowboys still have a roster exemption and do not yet have to put him on their 53-man roster.

Raiders: One play stood out as particularly hard to relive when interim coach Tom Cable watched film of the Raiders’ loss to Kansas City. It was the botched fake field goal that turned three points for Oakland into seven for the Chiefs during a 20-13 loss that assured the Raiders of their sixth straight losing season. “For me, it was difficult, because I made that call,” Cable said Monday. “It was set up exactly where we wanted it. They were lined up like we wanted it, and just didn’t execute it. As I mentioned yesterday, full responsibility rests on my shoulders for that.” Early in the second quarter, the Raiders were lining up for a 43-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski. Cable called for the fake on fourth-and-10, giving the instructions to Janikowski, holder Shane Lechler and tight end Tony Stewart. The rest of the team wasn’t told so they could execute as if it were a field goal so as not to tip off the Chiefs. Jon Condo snapped the ball to Lechler, who then flipped the ball through his legs to Janikowski, who was running behind him. Maurice Leggett came in off the edge and was in position to scoop up the ball when Janikowski ran too fast upfield, returning it 67 yards for a touchdown that gave the Chiefs a 10-3 lead.

Saints: Coach Sean Payton said “negative plays” in the running game influenced his pass-heavy approach in a narrow, rain-soaked loss in Tampa Bay. Yet Reggie Bush was surprised he never got another chance to carry the ball after his 8-yard gain late in the second quarter set up a go-ahead touchdown. Even if Bush wasn’t playing as well as he’d hoped in his comeback from a knee injury, he at least figured Deuce McAllister and Pierre Thomas would get more than their combined 14 rushing attempts. “Yeah, it did surprise me a little bit,” Bush said Monday. “Normally, when it rains, you figure you have more of an advantage with the running game.”

Associated Press